Liquorice

Botanical Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra

Botanical Description: Liquorice is a perennial leguminous shrub belonging to the Fabaceae family, native to Eurasia and North Africa.

Cosmetic Benefits: Liquorice extract is rich in glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-brightening properties. It helps reduce inflammation, soothe irritation, and even out skin tone, making it beneficial for hyperpigmentation, acne, and sensitive skin. Liquorice extract also has hydrating and skin-soothing properties that can help moisturize and soften the skin, promoting a healthy, radiant complexion.

Scientific Overview: Liquorice produces compound leaves and small, purplish flowers that grow in clusters. The roots of the liquorice plant contain glycyrrhizin, a compound responsible for its sweet taste and medicinal properties.

Cultivation and Harvest: Liquorice plants are cultivated in temperate regions worldwide for their roots. The roots are harvested when mature and then dried for various applications, including culinary and medicinal uses.

Plant Morphology: Liquorice plants have compound leaves with multiple leaflets and produce small, violet-colored flowers arranged in dense clusters. The roots are thick, woody structures that grow underground and contain bioactive compounds with medicinal properties.